EXPLORING HALKIDIKI Combining our Unspoilt Greece and Olympiada holidays

Transcription

1 EXPLORING HALKIDIKI Combining our Unspoilt Greece and Olympiada holidays Tour Code: Grade 4 1st wk, Grade 4/SS 2nd wk Holiday Duration: 17 days HOLIDAY DATES 21st Apr th May 2018, 5th May st May th Sept st Oct 2018, 6th Oct nd Oct 2018 A two week holidays combining our Unspoilt Greece and Olympiada holidays. HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS Unspoiled coastal, mountain and forest pathways, ideal for nature lovers. Traditional villages and small coastal towns. Uncrowded beaches and azure sea. Delicious cuisine and wines. Sparkling Varvara waterfall walk. Superb for nature lovers Walking Aristotle s Trail with views over Olympiada. Archaeological site of Amphipolis. Optional Mount Athos cruise.

2 EXPLORING HALKIDIKI Greece's verdant peninsula of Sithonia, in Halkidiki, appeals to nature lovers and visitors seeking a quieter holiday. Pine and oak forests, olive groves, fruit trees and vineyards give way to golden beaches, azure seas, picturesque harbours and fishing hamlets. In between you'll find traditional villages, characteristic stone architecture, and tranquil churches. Add to this the delightful local cuisine and wines, the genuine Greek hospitality, and you have all the elements of a really great holiday. From our base at the lovely Athena Pallas Village, which offers superior accommodation and facilities, our walks lead us around the peninsula on woodland tracks, country trails and along coastal pathways. The Mt. Holomontas range, rich in flora and fauna, offers wonderful panoramic views to the coast, and on a clear day, possibly to Mount Athos. Once abandoned hillside villages now bustle with life and in spring time, the hills are adorned with flowers, wild strawberries and herbs and we might even see wild tortoises and hear the song of nightingales. Our walks end at small mountain villages with time to explore, stroll on the beach or perhaps to relax over lunch taken in one of the plentiful waterfront tavernas. Mount Athos, or Holy Mountain, can be seen from the peninsula and an optional boat cruise takes you along the coastline where majestic monasteries seem to rise from the sea. Greece's second city of Thessaloniki, with its museums, ancient sites, markets and restaurants, is not far away and is within easy reach of our hotel. Greece's most northern region of Macedonia, which borders the Balkans, is an absolute delight. This is Greece at its most welcoming with quiet coastal towns, uncrowded beaches, shady village squares, local markets and of course, the quintessential Greek hospitality. From the tranquil seaside town of Olympiada, we'll explore the birthplace of Aristotle at Ancient Stagira, follow part of the Aristotle Trail and walk the Marmari peninsula. We'll visit Ouranoupoli, the area's capital which borders the World Heritage Site of Mount Athos, and take either an afternoon cruise to view the magnificent hanging monasteries or enjoy a walk on Ammouliani Island. We will also visit the ancient city of Amphipolis, inhabited from the fifth century BC and through the Macedonian, Roman and Byzantine eras, including a recently excavated tomb, probably that of one of Alexander the Great's family. The food in this part of Greece could be some of the best you have ever tasted. Our hotel breakfasts are homemade with locally grown produce, dinners will be taken at one of the town's delightful sea front tavernas and the hotel's resident chef Loulou will give a demonstration of Greek cookery. WHATS INCLUDED Return flights from Gatwick to Thessaloniki (British Airways) Airport transfers En-suite accommodation. Dinners taken at the sea front Germaniko tavern in Olympiada and at the hotel and local tavernas in Sithonia. All local transport costs. Services of a dedicated leader. HOLIDAY GRADE This Grade 4 moderate holiday includes full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain and is likely to include an element of sightseeing as well. Half day walking will probably include about 3 hours of walking, with full days having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to about 600m. See the Walks & Excursions section for more information. Sightseeing The sightseeing element of the holiday will be significant allowing you to get a good feel for the sites and sights as well as the trails of the destination. Our walks take us through the picturesque countryside, into pleasant woodlands of pine, fi r and chestnut, following forest tracks, passing the spectacular Varvara waterfall, and along a coastal trail enjoying the verdant scenery as we go.

3 Proposed Itinerary Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice. Key to Meals: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner. In flight meals, if appropriate, will be advised in your final travel documents Day: 1 - Sithonia (D) Depart London Gatwick to Thessaloniki. On arrival travel by road to the Athena Pallas Village, located at Elias Beach, on the green peninsula of Sithonia. Day: 2 to 7 - Sithonia (B,D) Walking on Sithonia and around the Mt. Holomontas range. There will be a free day for you to explore on your own, or relax at the hotel. Day: 8 - Olympiada (B,D) We ll return to Thessaloniki Airport to meet participants arriving for the Olympiada holiday and then transfer by road to the Hotel Liotopi, located in the quiet seaside town of Olympiada. Day: 9 to 14 - Olympiada (B,D) Exploring from Olympiada takes us through the picturesque countryside, into pleasant woodlands following forest tracks, passing the spectacular Varvara waterfall, and along a coastal trail. Our sightseeing days take us to Ouranoupoli and to the ancient city of Amphipolis. Day: (B) Transfer by road to Thessaloniki Airport for check-in and return flight to London Gatwick. will be some free time during your holiday for you to explore on your own or enjoy the beach and hotel facilities. Your Leader will give you more details. Examples of walks that we may offer during the week: Nikiti to Agios Nikolaos.Up through olive groves and over the hills across the peninsula, with views of Mt Athos, to the oldest village in the area. Distance 12kms, 4.5 hours, Ascent / Descent 555m Polygiros to Tsoukalas Ridge. After a drive through mountain towns, with time to explore, we walk above the regional capital with views to Mt Olympus in the west and the Holomontas range to the east. Distance 8kms, 3 hours, Ascent 450m, Descent 250m Parthenonas. We ascend through woods and farmland to a formerly deserted village below the highest mountain on the peninsula then return through rugged landscape. Distance: 13kms, 4.5 hours, Ascent 590m Descent 605m Ancient Stagira: A short walk from our hotel leads us to Ancient Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle. See Byzantine ruins, the acropolis and agora and continue to a hilltop with fine views overlooking Olympiada and the Strimonikas Gulf. Ascent / Descent minimal (hill top extension 300m); 2 miles / 3km (extension 5 miles / 8km); 90mins (extension 3 hours) Walks & Excursions We use coastal trails, forest paths, mule tracks and quiet roads. We proceed at a leisurely pace sometimes making use of the tavernas in the local villages for refreshment stops or lunch. Some of the walks are at the top of the grade, with ascents and descents of m, though rarely steep. There Waterfalls and the Kalivia Valley: A mainly easy walk that starts in the inland hills, descends to a tall waterfall then continues on forest tracks through pleasant woodland to a valley with a very old settlement, then to the coast and back to the hotel along the beach.

4 Ascent 100m/ descent 320m; 9½ miles / 15½km; 4 hours Aristotle's Way: Starting at Aristotle's Park in New Stagira, we follow forest tracks through chestnut, then beech and coniferous woodland, climbing for 2 km up to and then along a ridge with some good sea views. The descent is gradual. Ascent 270m/ descent 445m; 8 miles / 13km; 3¾ hours INDEPENDENT TWO-NIGHT STAY IN THESSALONIKI Thessaloniki is Greece's second city and well worth a visit. The vibrant university town is located on the waterfront, with an extensive promenade lined with cafes and restaurants, open squares, historical buildings, archaeological sites and museums. It is very easy to get around on foot and by public transport. It's a city that has Christian, Jewish and Muslim roots and you can discover the history through its cuisine by visiting the traditional food markets and discovering the many restaurants on offer. There are numerous guide books that feature Thessaloniki such as Lonely Planet and the Rough Guide, but you may also find The Thread by Victoria Hislop an interesting read. While it is a novel, it is based around true events in Thessaloniki's history - the great fire in 1917, the population exchange with Turkey and the Greek civil war. Many of the places mentioned in the book can be found in the city today. The book is available at Amazon and at most bookshops. Returning to the airport at the end of your stay is very easy. A taxi costs approx. eur25 while travelling by public bus costs eur2.00 one way and takes minutes. Timetables and pick up points can be found, in English, at Optional Excursions A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book in your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions. Our independent package includes a transfer into the city at the end of your holiday and 2 nights' accommodation at the centrally located Hotel Park on bed and breakfast basis. From January 2018, it is expected that a Greek hotel tax will be introduced for all hotel stays. This is expected to be between eur1.50-eur3.50 per per room per night and is to be paid directly to the hotel at the end of your stay. Suggestions on what to do in Thessaloniki: - Thessaloniki sightseeing on public bus number 50 - This is a public bus with a difference! For the price of eur2.50pp per journey you can travel around the city with video information provided on the bus of the sites you are seeing. Also known as Thessaloniki on the Go, the bus takes you up to the Upper City (Keladis), with impressive views of Mount Olympus, and return. The start and end point of the bus route is at the White Tower and tickets can be bought on the bus. If you get off the bus at any point, you will need to pay again to continue. - Museums worth noting are: Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki, The White Tower, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, and the War Museum of Thessaloniki. You will also find the Museum of Photography and Museum of Cinema in the renovated old port area. - There are numerous churches in the city, the most notable are Agios Demetrios, the patron saint of the city and The Church of Panagia Chalkeon - Take a boat ride around the harbour, from the White Tower, for the price of a drink onboard! - Take a guided walking tour or guided food tour with a local. Please contact us for details and prices. Leaders Evening Briefing Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know. Local Transport Costs All local transport costs, in conjunction with the advertised activity programme, are included in the holiday cost. Personal Expenditure You will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, possible non-included entrance fees, any optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally as well as any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry when budgeting for your holiday. Small Groups Group Size Coming from all walks of life your fellow travelling companions will share your desire to discover great things and have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy their infectious enthusiasm, cameraderie and great dinner conversation. These small-group guided holidays usually have a group size of people. Tour Leaders Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about

5 discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible. On most holidays of 7 nights and over, the tour leader will have one day's break a week, enabling you to have a 'free' day too!

6 Travel Details For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure. Personal Details Check When confirming your booking, we provide you with a Personal Details Check form. This is to ensure that we have an accurate record of the information you have provided us such as your passport details (if relevant), date of birth and any other important detail necessary for us to properly manage your holiday arrangements. When you receive this, please check the details, complete any missing or pertinent information and return it to us as soon as possible. Land Only If you are joining and leaving at your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday from your hotel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance. Passports and Visas Passports should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Greece. Your passport does not need any additional period of validity beyond this. British passport holders don't need a visa to enter Greece. General Passport & Visa Advice It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country. Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at and at Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details. Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you. If you wish to organise your own flights from a non- UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'no-travel' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details. Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel.

7 Accommodation Athena Pallas Village Akti Elias, Nikiti 63088, Sithonia Greece Phone: Web: The family owned, superior category Athena Pallas Village is located in a secluded location, directly on the coast at Elias Beach on the Sithonia peninsula. The hotel is similar to a small village in that the accommodation is located across the extensive grounds. There are a couple of restaurants, a shop, three outdoor swimming pools, indoor pool with health club & spa (charges apply for treatments), tennis courts, bar, and even a folklore museum with items from the area! The owner of the hotel used to build churches before he constructed the hotel and there are two small churches within the hotel grounds. There is access directly across from the hotel to the quiet beach (down steps) which connects to a sister hotel, which has a beach bar serving drinks and snacks. There is free wi-fi connection and there is also a small internet station at the hotel (fee applies). All nicely decorated rooms are en suite (with showers) and have a hairdryer, TV (with English news channels), safe, kettle, climate control, minibar, telephone, and a balcony or veranda with chairs and table. Hotel Liotopi Olympiada Halkidiki Greece Phone: Web: hotel.liotopi@gmail.com The Hotel Liotopi is a family run, 16 room hotel located close to the beach in Olympiada and a stone's throw from the main square. The hotel prides itself on its homemade breakfast, which is taken outside in the charming garden in good weather. Rooms are uniquely decorated and are en suite with a/c, fridge, TV and a hairdryer. All rooms have a balcony with either sea or mountain view. Free wi-fi is offered to guests. Breakfasts will be taken at the hotel and dinners will be taken at the hotel's seafront taverna which offers an extensive range of Greek dishes. Lunches are not included and picnic lunches can be bought from the local supermarket or bakery. Olympiada is a quiet, traditional town with a small selection of tavernas, bakeries and shops. It is a perfect base for discovering the nature of the area and for visiting Ouranopoli and Amphopolis. Hotel Park Hotel Park Ionos Dragoumi 81 Thessaloniki Greece Phone: Web: The Hotel Park is very centrally located, close to all of Thessaloniki's main sites, restaurants and cafes. Aristotle's Square is just 10 minutes walk and the White Tower and water front just 20 minutes. The warmly decorated rooms all come with individually controlled air conditioning / heating as well as private balconies. Facilities include a TV with local and select satelite channels, mini-refrigerators and hair dryers, Rooms have either two twin beds or one double-sized bed. The cafe/bar Squares, offers refreshments all day.

8 Footwear Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded rubber sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. If you are an experienced walker with strong ankles a good quality pair of trail or approach shoes may well be suitable for some walks. For purely sightseeing elements of the holiday, you should wear whatever is comfortable for a day out on your feet. We recommend that you either wear your walking boots or shoes or pack them and some waterproofs in your hand luggage as in the unlikely event that your hold luggage is delayed, you will still be able to participate in the holiday programme. Kit List Outdoor activities are always more enjoyable if you are prepared. The following list is a basic guideline that will enhance your experience. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. A basic kit list is likely to include: - Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers - Lightweight, quick drying trousers - Several polo shirts, T-shirts or specialist walking shirts - Fleece jacket - Comfortable walking socks - Warm hat and gloves (if appropriate) - Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and high SPF sun block - Swimwear (if appropriate) - Day sack (25 litre capacity) to comfortably carry the kit you'll take out on your days activity - Strong polythene bags to keep the contents of your daypack dry - Water bottle(s) - at least 1 litre capacity - Basic first aid kit (plasters, blister treatment, antiseptic etc) - Insect repellent - Waterproof bag or container and knife for your lunch - Walking/trekking poles (if applicable) Water-to-Go An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles. We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays. Trekking Poles Many of our clients find walking poles hugely beneficial when walking. They can both reduce stress on the knees and aid confidence. If you use them please make sure that you have the rubber tips covering the sharp metal points. There is increasing evidence that the bare metal tips are damaging footpaths both in the UK and abroad. Travel Document Checklist Documents and Information to take with you: - Your passport (make sure it's valid and it's yours) - Your travel tickets or e-ticket itinerary - Any visa or electronic travel authorisation (if required) - Holiday money - Credit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost) - Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked) - Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked) - Your holiday Booking Confirmation document - Your travel insurance details - Alternative form of identification (such as a driving licence) - Photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport - A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if relevant

9 - Details of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about Maps, Guidebooks & Advice Maps and guidebooks relating to your holiday may be obtained before departure from: The Map Shop ( Weather and Climate Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination: Weather2 BBC Weather

10 Currency The currency in Greece is the euro. Electricity Electricity in Greece is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at Health No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Greece. You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK. You may also wish to consider immunisations against Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis. There is a low to no risk of malaria in Greece. Malaria risk is from May to October and is very limited; confined to the villages of the Evrotas delta area in Lakonia district. Please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic. Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP. Further Travel Health Advice For further advice please visit: - The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) travel health website at - The NHS 'Fit for travel' website at - The Foreign Office Office Travel Advice Website at - Or a local travel health clinic. You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands. Language The language spoken on this holiday is Greek, although you will find a good many people you meet will speak English. Insurance Travel Insurance You must be adequately insured to join our holidays. We do not insist that you insure with us but we require that you are adequately insured for the nature of your holiday. You will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance. Please ensure that as a minimum your travel insurance policy covers you for medical expenses, mountain rescue and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury, and that your policy provides adequate cover for the activities, included and optional, you are likely to participate in during your holiday. See our brochure or website for further advice regarding holiday insurance. Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers. Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started. EHIC Cards Please take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you; it will help you in the event of you needing medical assistance during your holiday. Please note the the EHIC has an expiry date, so please check that your card is valid for the duration of your holiday. Please note however the an EHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance. For more information please visit Personal Safety

11 The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination. Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used. Cultural Awareness Responsible Travel We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website. Heart & Sole We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support. Communication an online questionnaire or to add feedback to our page on independent review site 'Feefo'. Important Information Please note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued. In most cases the revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will remain unchanged. Should we make a major change to your holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change. You may wish to review the latest version of this Holiday Information Sheet online prior to travel. Please note that any advertised offers, benefits or initiatives may be discontinued at any time. Contact Us Ramblers Walking Holidays - Tel: UK +44 (0) info@ramblersholidays.co.uk - Web: Our office is open and our Sales & Reservations team available to speak to you from: - 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday am to Midday on Saturdays am to 3pm on Saturdays in January & February only Please quote your Booking Reference number and Tour Code whenever contacting us. We wish you an enjoyable holiday! Mobile Phones Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements. Please do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements. As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals. Feedback We welcome all comments about our holidays and value ideas for the future. If you have provided us with an address we will invite you to complete